Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1966 Dime?

Where is the mint mark on a 1966 dime? If you have a 1966 dime in your pocket, you may wonder where to look for the mint mark indicating where it was made. Dimes can be minted at Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco facilities. Knowing the mint is key to determining the collectability and value of the coin.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: The Roosevelt dime from 1966 was minted only in the Philadelphia Mint, meaning there is no mint mark on these coins.

Identifying Mint Marks on Dimes

Basic Mint Mark Locations

Mint marks on dimes indicate which US mint the coin was produced at. From 1796 to 1945, there were only three mints producing dimes – Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), and San Francisco (S mint mark).

Mint marks can be found on the reverse (tail side) of the dime below the wreath, to the left of the year.

Here are the basic mint mark locations to check on a dime:

No mint mark – Struck at the Philadelphia mint
D mint mark – Struck at the Denver mint
S mint mark – Struck at the San Francisco mint

Exceptions – No Mint Marks

There are a couple of exceptions where you won’t find a mint mark on a 1966 dime even though it wasn’t made in Philadelphia:

1965-1967 dimes from Denver may have been struck without a mint mark due to worn dies. You’ll have to rely on details like the font and relief to identify these.
San Francisco did not mint any circulating coinage from 1955-1967, so 1966 S dimes do not exist.

So your 1966 dime will not have a mint mark. Checking reference guides like the PCGS CoinFacts can help attribute mint marks in tricky cases.

I hope this overview on where to find mint marks on 1966 dimes has been helpful! Identifying the mint is key to figuring out a coin’s history and rarity.

Mint Marks on Dimes

Philadelphia Mint

The Philadelphia Mint produces the majority of circulating coinage. This was the main facility for striking coins for general circulation. The 1966 dimes from Philadelphia feature the standard Franklin D. Roosevelt bust on the Obverse and the torch and olive branch design on the reverse.

Editor’s note: The Philadelphia Mint was the first mint built in the United States. Authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, it opened its doors in 1793 and began producing coins to address the nation’s shortage of money at that time.

Denver Mint

The Denver Mint struck dimes in most minting series except 1965-1967 dimes. All other dimes come with a small “D” mint mark located just below the date on the obverse. The D dime features the same Roosevelt design as its Philadelphia counterpart.

Editor’s Note: The Denver Mint opened in 1906 to serve the western part of the country. In some years during the early 1900s, it produced more gold and silver coins than any other U.S. mint branch.

San Francisco Mint

The San Francisco Mint produces coins with a small “S” mint mark below the date. This facility mainly produces proof coins. The San Francisco Mint was a major facility for precious metal coinage until it closed in 1955. It reopened a decade later in 1965 to supplement production. After closing again in 1988, it reopened in 1988 solely as a collectors’ coin facility.

Checking Your Dimes for Mint Marks

Using a Magnifying Glass

Since the mint marks on dimes are very small, you’ll need a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to read them. A magnification power between 4x and 10x is usually sufficient. LED-illuminated magnifiers can be helpful when trying to locate and identify mint marks.

When examining a dime, carefully look on the bottom half of the reverse (tails) side, just below the central torch design. Tilt the coin at an angle under bright light to help make out hard-to-see mint marks.

Take your time and double-check where you think you see a mint mark letter. Dirt and debris can sometimes resemble a letter until you look more closely. What appears to be a mint mark could end up just being a small scratch or bump on closer inspection.

Distinguishing Marks from Damage

While most dimes exhibit clear mint marks in the correct location, some coins present more of a challenge. Years of circulation wear and tear can make accurate assessment difficult.

For questionable dimes, compare the possible mint mark to reference images online to confirm what you see. Compare it to another less-worn dime if available. Sometimes a minor striking issue or post-mint damage can create confusion.

Potential Imperfection	How to Tell
Weak strike	A partial letter or fading point could indicate weak printing rather than damage post
t-mint A	A ragged or irregular divot, small puncture hole or gash would likely come after the release

Both weak strikes and post-mint damage make reading the mint letter difficult. But with patience, persistence, good lighting, and magnification, identifying original mint marks beneath flaws is often possible by matching to clear examples.

Reference websites like NGC Coin Explorer and PCGS CoinFacts can assist if struggling to verify a hard-to-distinguish mint mark.

The Significance of Mint Marks for Collectors

Mint Marks and Rarity

Mint marks indicate at which U.S. mint a coin was produced. This can significantly impact the rarity and value of the coin for collectors. In most cases, Denver facility mints smaller amounts of coins compared to Philadelphia.

There are slight differences between each mint’s manufacturing process that result in unique finishes and qualities for their coins. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Denver-minted coins often have a slightly more mirror-like and smoother appearance.

This desirability means that a Denver dime in pristine condition can be worth $5-10, while regular circulation quality coins trade for around $1-2.

Impact on Condition and Value

Since mint marks indicate where the coin was made, they can provide clues as to the coin’s condition and expected state of preservation after decades of possible wear and tear in circulation. For example, coins from the Philadelphia or San Francisco mints were more likely to see extensive use in commerce on the East or West Coasts.

In contrast, coins from mints like Denver or Carson City in the interior west may have remained in regional circulation.

According to the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), Denver-minted coins are generally considered to be better preserved on average than those from other mints. As a result, Denver dimes that collectors encounter today often show less evidence of wear and damage, boosting their collector value.

Caring for and Storing 1966 Dimes

Preventing Damage and Wear

Roosevelt dimes, though over 50 years old, can still be in excellent condition with proper care. Here are some tips to keep them looking the best:

Handle coins by the edges to prevent fingerprints from marring surfaces
Store in archival-quality coin holders or folders to avoid scratches
Use cotton gloves when handling to prevent skin oils from damaging surfaces
Do not clean coins as this can degrade their value

Cleaning coins improperly can permanently damage their surfaces resulting in loss of details and luster. It’s best to leave any tarnish or patina undisturbed.

Choosing Containers and Holders

For long-term storage, inert plastic holders are recommended. Some good options include:

Polyethylene coin tubes
Multi-coin rigid holders
Archival quality cardboard holders

Avoid materials like vinyl, paper, and wood that can interact chemically with coin surfaces over time. Capsules allow viewing while protecting from fingerprints. For display, glass-covered frames work well but be sure materials contacting surfaces are inert.

Proper storage in cool, dry, and dark conditions avoids damage from light, heat, and humidity fluctuations. An archival coin cabinet provides ideal storage. Following these guidelines preserves 1966 dimes for many years to come!